The Summer Madness Hoops Classic tipped off on Friday, July 25, at the Mark C. Marin Center (MCM Center) with five games. The opening game saw St. Croix Guidance take out the British Virgin Islands’ (BVI) Out The Mud with a 36-12 victory in the 12U Division. Kirt Thomas led Guidance with nine points and seven steals. Kyle Gumbs Jr. was the game’s top scorer with 13 for Out The Mud.
Game two saw an 11U team from Bowie, Md., dropping 50 points. Their tower in the center, Ryan Tay, recorded 27 points, 13 boards, and four blocks.  Kyle Gumbs and Makai Hodge combined to score 17 of The Process 12U team’s 28 points.

St. Croix teams continued their winning ways in the third match-up of the day as Alliance 12U team slowed down St. Thomas’ Process 12U team, 25-19. Michael Phillips led Alliance’s balanced attack with eight points and eight rebounds. Phillips had four other teammates score at least two baskets. Makai Hodge contributed eight points for The Process.
Guidance 12U team found themselves on the court for the second time that evening, facing the 12U team from Bowie. The stateside program collected its second win of the day with a 33-19 victory. Sem Abel was the game’s top scorer with 15 points. Lamar Harris’ five points led Guidance.

Bowie’s 14U team made it a clean sweep for the team from Maryland as they defeated Sports Vision Academy (SVA) All Stars based in Tortola, 50-18.  Howard Hill came off the bench to pour in 14 points, secure six rebounds, and snatch four steals. Klan Stoutt dropped seven points for SVA.
Saturday’s results:
Game 6 – 12U Division – Bowie 33 – Process 9
Game 7 – 14U Division – Process 34 – Guidance 23
Game 8 – 12U Division – Out the Mud 18 – Alliance 12
Game 9 – 11U Division – Guidance 21 – Process 17
Game 10 – 14U Division – Bowie 43 – Process 30
Game 11 – 14U Division – SVA 46 – Guidance 36
Game 12 – 12U Division – Guidance 30 – Process 11
Game 13 – 12U Division – Bowie 41 – Alliance 31
Game 14 – 11U Division – Bowie 30 – Guidance 10
Game 15 – 14U Division – Bowie 59 – Guidance 47
Game 16 – 12U Division – Bowie 44 – Out the Mud 25
Game 17 – 14U Division – Bowie 30 – Guidance 10
Game 18 – 12U Division – Guidance 26 – Alliance 19
The final day of SMHC is Sunday, July 27, at the MCM Center on Antilles School campus.  Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children.
Schedule:
Game 20 – 9:00 a.m. – The Process vs Guidance – 11U Division
Game 21 – 10:00 a.m. – Bowie vs Guidance – 14U Division
Game 22 – 11:00 a.m. – Out the Mud vs Guidance – 12U Division
Game 23 – 12:00 p.m. – SVA vs Process – 14U Division
Game 24 – 1:00 p.m. – Winner of game 20 vs Bowie – 11U championship game
Game 25 – 2:00 p.m. – Winner of game 22 vs Bowie – 12U championship game
Game 26 – 3:00 p.m. – Winner of game 21 vs Winner of Game 23 – 14U championship game
Closing ceremonies – 4:00 p.m.

The Virgin Islands Police Department, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS), is launching the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” high-visibility enforcement campaign as part of a national effort to reduce impaired driving and improve road safety, reported the VIPD.
The campaign, which runs from July 27 through September, aligned with Title 20, Section 493 of the Virgin Islands Code, and aims to raise awareness, increase enforcement, and reduce impaired driving incidents, according to a news release.
Impaired driving is more than just a statistic—it’s a real and personal threat that impacts every one of us. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or neighbor, the consequences can be life-altering in a single moment. With the influx of tourists, lively social gatherings, the risk of impaired driving increases. The stakes are too high to ignore. This campaign is more than just enforcement; it’s about protecting the community, safeguarding the places we call home, looking out for the people we love, while ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all who visit our islands. The message is clear and unwavering: Impaired Driving Will Not Be Tolerated, the release stated.
The VIPD will conduct roadside sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and increased surveillance across the territory. The goal is straightforward—to ensure that everyone gets home safely. Officers will be watching for signs of impairment, such as erratic driving, speeding, or swerving, and addressing other traffic violations that compromise safety. Drivers suspected of DUI will be stopped, tested, and, if necessary, arrested, according to the release.
“Impaired driving doesn’t just endanger the driver and his or her passengers, it puts everyone on the road at risk,” said Daphne O’Neal, VIOHS director. “If you plan to drink or use intoxicating substances, make sure to have a safe way home—whether it’s a designated driver or alternate transportation. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Let’s work together to keep our roads safe. Celebrate Responsibly, and always remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving; If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. To request a traffic safety presentation or learn more about impaired driving prevention, contact the VIOHS through O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or the Impaired Driving Program Manager, K’ Tonya Petrus at k’tonya.petrus@vi.gov. People may also contact the office via telephone at (340) 772-3025.